Mike Bloomberg plans new group to support Democratic nominee. And Hawkfish data campaign.

[OnDoutside]

See further down for more on Hawkfish

Former New York mayor Mike Bloomberg has decided to form an independent expenditure campaign that will absorb hundreds of his presidential campaign staffers in six swing states to work to elect the Democratic nominee this fall. The group, with a name that is still undisclosed because its trademark application is in process, would also be a vehicle for Bloomberg to spend money on advertising to attack President Trump and support the Democratic nominee, according to a person familiar with the discussions, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to reveal internal deliberations.

The moves come as Bloomberg has continued to taunt Trump on social media, releasing a video Thursday on Twitter that cut together a number of clips in a way meant to mock Trump’s claims that he would win the White House, hold the Senate and take back the U.S. House. “We are not going anywhere. We will haunt your dreams. We are in your head,” the video declares in spliced-together clips from movies, television shows and music videos. “Starting today, and every day after that, every morning, every night, we will be here watching you, always watching, making sure everyone knows what a disaster you are.”

SNIP

The promise of help has been welcomed by Biden, but advisers to Sanders have said they do not want any general election assistance from Bloomberg if their candidate wins the nomination.

Bloomberg’s advisers have identified Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Florida and North Carolina as the six states that will decide the electoral college winner this year. Staffers in each of those states have signed contracts through November to work on the effort. The new group also could serve as a vehicle for Bloomberg to support Democratic candidates for the House and Senate. In 2018, Bloomberg gave $20 million to Senate Majority PAC to support Democratic senatorial candidates. A separate group he founded, Independence USA, spent $38 million to help Democrats retake the U.S. House.

Bloomberg also will continue to fund Hawkfish, a data effort to support Democratic campaigns. That operation is structured as a separate for-profit campaign vendor to Bloomberg’s campaign, the person familiar with the discussions said, so there is no need to reorganize its structure to allow it to work with the new group. Hawkfish has signed a long-term lease in the same building in New York’s Times Square that houses Bloomberg’s presidential campaign. The campaign, by contrast, plans to wind down its lease at the property.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/mike-bloomberg-plans-new-group-to-support-democratic-nominee/2020/03/05/a2522c44-5f13-11ea-9055-5fa12981bbbf_story.html

HAWKFISH

The former New York City mayor has shelled out upwards of $400 million on advertising since joining the presidential race last November — with $25.7 million of that going to Hawkfish, his digital agency and primary adtech and data provider, according to Federal Election Commission disclosures.

Hawkfish is central to helping Bloomberg win the presidency and helping the Democratic party catch up to the GOP on the back of data. It's packed with a who's who from the worlds of politics, advertising, and technology.

Among the agency's key people are:

Former Facebook CMO Gary Briggs, who emerged from retirement in late 2019 to lead Hawkfish

Former Foursquare CEO Jeff Glueck, the head of digital at Hawkfish and the brains of its data operation

Former Viacom advertising executive Bryson Gordon, who is tasked with building out the campaign's audience segmentation, linear ad planning, and ad-buying strategy

Longtime ad-agency executive and former North America CEO of GroupM Tim Castree, who is overseeing the campaign's record-breaking paid-media budget

And several Google, Facebook, and Snapchat veterans including Josh Mendelsohn, Jonathan Jarvis, and Selby Drummond

https://www.businessinsider.com/top-media-marketing-and-tech-execs-running-mike-bloomberg-hawkfish-2020-2?r=US&IR=T

[mdelaguna]

1. Thank you Mayor Bloomberg

Getting it done!

[calimary]

4. Thank you Mayor Bloomberg!

Frankly, if THIS is how the game is played, then so be it. Then I want MY billionaire, too. For MY side and MY nominee.

No, I don’t like it. I don’t think the guy with the most money and spending power gets to win. I don’t like it that the White House can be bought.

But Citizens United made it happen. The GOP made it happen, once again ignoring any thought that there might be unintended consequences.

So, okay then.

Game ON.

Besides, I love a good irony.

[onetexan]

9. There's no way to fight Koch money, & other GOP big donors without Bloomberg

In an ideal world without allowance of superpacs, not allowing big $ is the way to go. With this election the stakes are huge, so whats good for the goose is good for the gander. IMO Bloomberg is a Godsend. He helped us take back the House. He's resolved to help Biden win&take back the Senate. I cant thank him enough.

[rainin]

2. I understand not wanting big donor money

but does Sanders want to win? I wouldn't summarily refuse the money. I'd tell Bloomberg to spend his money helping cash-strapped municipalities pay for elections

Remember this from past elections? This is from 2012

https://www.citylab.com/equity/2012/04/money-problem-day-cities-cant-afford-elections/1855/

[OnDoutside]

3. It actually makes perfect sense. It's Purity politics, which pushes away those who are not

ideologically pure.

[larrysanders]

5. Where do I sign up?

As a successful advertising career professional, I’ve been so impressed by the content Bloomberg has put out. I particularly love the new video that includes Tony Soprano.

I would love to connect with the powers that be (at Hawkfish I’m guessing) to see if they’d be interested in using my talents towards making a substantial contribution to their efforts.

Anyone have any leads for me? BTW, my user name is derived from the Garry Shandling series. Thanks in advance.

[Cha]

6. Go Mike! Thank you!

[Awsi Dooger]

7. Minnesota and New Hampshire should be on the list also

Both have 4% more conservatives than liberals. Hillary barely carried each state and didn't come close to 50% in either one.

Obviously we are favored in those states but I have no idea why we would continue to take states like that for granted. The GOP never ever takes states for granted that are so close to their tipping point in terms of the ideological split.

[oasis]

8. Presidential Medal of Freedom to Bloomberg and Clyburn for saving USA.